Nusa Dua, Bali - ASEAN heads of state/government at their 19th ASEAN Summit in Nusa Dua are to discuss the importance of strengthening inclusive growth in the region, Philippine Secretary for Communication Ricky Carandang said here on Thursday.
     "Uneven growth in one country or region may lead to political instability. We can see examples of this in recent happening in some Arab countries or in North Africa and even in the United States where people are protesting against uneven growth," he said.
     Ricky said fast development in a country or region must be felt by the higher percentage of people if stability is to be maintained.
     Earlier, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his opening speech at the 19th ASEAN Summit at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) said ASEAN was now able to contribute positively to the global community.
     "ASEAN now has become a more mature organization able to create stability and security in the region while also improving its economy and people to people relations. With such assets, I believe ASEAN can contribute positively to the global community," Yudhoyono said.
     The president said there were several steps that need to be taken next in order to realize ASEAN`s dream to reach out to the world. First, he said, ASEAN needs to take concrete steps to strengthen the three pillars of the ASEAN Community namely economic, security and socio-cultural.
     "Development in ASEAN must involve every element in the region. ASEAN must be an organization that`s more people-oriented," he said.
     The president reminded ASEAN member states to strengthen economic growth in the region. "Economic growth will make ASEAN more resilient towards the volatility of the global economy. Our strength in the economic sector is also expected to be able to create a more balanced global economy," he said.
     Yudhoyono also emphasized the need for ASEAN to continuously develop connectivity in the region. With a more effective connection, he said, the trade and investment sector in the region was expected to be improved.
     The president also reminded ASEAN to maintain cooperation with partnering countries through mechanisms such as ASEAN Plus One, ASEAN Plus Three, ASEAN Defense Ministerial Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum.
     "The world is getting more connected now, therefore ASEAN needs to be in the forefront and play a greater role in the world community. We must not be a passive audience that is vulnerable le to global problems," he said.   
     The 19th ASEAN Summit is being attended by the heads of state/government of Brunei Darussalam, Camboda, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

–Antara, 18 November 2011 –

        
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